9 Senate Foreign Relations Committee Members against Recall of John Evans
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.07.2006 14:59 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Concerns continued to grow this week regarding the
circumstances surrounding the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
John Marshall Evans, as Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI) becomes the
ninth member of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee
to call for clarification of the State Department policy on the
Armenian Genocide.
In a written statement, submitted as part of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee hearing on Ambassador Designate to Armenia Richard
Hoagland, Sen.
Feingold noted that, “I want to express my deep concern about the
Administration’s reluctance to acknowledge the acts of genocide
that were committed against the Armenians almost a century ago. The
Administration’s continued failure to recognize these tragic events
is troubling to me and to those who share my belief that we should
speak honestly about, and insist on accountability for, past crimes
against humanity and genocide.”
Amongst specific questions to the Ambassador Designate, Sen. Feingold
asked Hoagland’s opinion on the reasons why Ambassador Evans was
removed as Ambassador to Armenia, what was the Administration’s policy
towards acknowledging the Armenian genocide and what boundaries had
been set for his position as Ambassador to address or speak about the
Armenian genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

Charges against Istanbul-Based Armenian Newspaper Editor Not Dismissed
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.07.2006 15:17 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Court of Appeal of Turkey on July 11 confirmed
the verdict on the case of Istanbul-Based Agos Armenian newspaper
editor Hrant Dink. He will not be imprisoned, however will be under
the threat of deprivation of liberty for 5 years, as in case a new
“crime” is committed, another half a year will be added to the old
imprisonment term.
Past October ethnic Armenian citizen of Turkey Hrant Dink was sentenced
to 6 months of conditional imprisonment for a newspaper article
telling about massacre of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey in 1915. In
February representatives of Office of the Prosecutor General considered
Dink’s case at the Court of Appeal and arrived at a conclusion that
the article is not insulting. However, unexpectedly the court did
not take this conclusion into consideration and decided that the
accusation against Dink is grounded, reports BBC Russian Service.
In spite of a number of reforms in Turkey owing to talks on EU
accession, there are articles in the legislation, which provide for
punishment for insulting the Turkish nation, country’s armed forces
and judicial bodies, while the difference in definitions of criticism
and insulting is often vague.

UN POPULATION FUND TO CARRY OUT NATIONAL STUDY
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JULY 13, ARMENPRESS: UN Population Fund is implementing
in Armenia “Population and Development Strategies’ program. Anna
Hovhanesian, a coordinator of the program, said similar programs were
conducted in Armenia’s neighbor countries years ago. The necessity
to implement it in Armenia is prompted by new demographic problems-
declining birth rate, out-migration and others.
As part of this program, the UN Population Fund and Armenia’s national
statistical committee will conduct a national survey of families
in July and August. The results of the study will be available in
October. The goal of the study is to reveal major family-related
indicators, particularly, low birth rate. The findings will later be
used for development of the concept of national family policy.
Ms. Hovhanesian said there is a lack of skilled experts on demographic
issues. That was why they released a special text book.

COMMUNIST PARTY DENIES RECONCILIATION CALLS
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JULY 13, ARMENPRESS: The leadership of the Armenian Communist
Party (ACP) has flatly rejected proposals by senior members of two
splinter groups for reunification. The reunification idea was voiced
last week by leaders of the so-called Refreshed Communist Party and
the Progressive Communist party- Yuri Manukian and Vazgen Safarian-
who were expelled from the Communist party at different times.
Tachat Sarkisian, the head of the Yerevan chapter of the Armenian
Communist party, told a news conference today that the leaders
of the two-called Communist parties were ousted from the party for
violation of its regulations and therefore, he said, there is no need
for reunification.
Tachat Sarkisian claimed that Yuri Manukian and Vazgen Safarian were
eager to reunify with ACP hoping to squeeze into the parliament in next
year’s elections ‘because they realize that they have no chances to
do so alone.’ He said ‘reunification’ will only damage the ACP’s image.
The reunification idea was earlier denied by the first secretary of
ACP Ruben Tovmasian, who ruled out any reconciliation and cooperation
with Manukian and Safarian, saying their only goal was to return
to parliament.
The ACP received about 10 percent of the vote in the parliamentary
and presidential elections held between 1995 and 1999, but failed to
win a seat in the 2003 parliamentary election.

MIKA TO RECEIVE STRONG COMPETITOR ON JULY 13
YEREVAN, JULY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. On July 13, Ashtarak “Mika” will receive
Swiss “Young Boys” in the first game of the UEFA Cup Tournament’s
firts tour at the Republican stadium of Yerevan.
On the same day, “Banants” will compete with the Tbilisi “Ameri”
within the framework of the UEFA Cup Tournament.

RA NA SPEAKER CONTENT WITH LEBANON’S BALANCED POSITION TOWARDS NAGORNO
KARABAKH PROBLEM
YEREVAN, JULY 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Development of
Armenian-Lebanese relations, as well as other issues of mutual interest
were discussed at the July 11 meeting of RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian
with the delegation headed by Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh.
RA NA Speaker emphasized the importance of Armenian-Lebanese
relations not only from point of view of historic contacts, but also
of considerate attitude of Lebanon to Armenians after the Genocide,
condemnation of the Genocide, mentioning that the two states and two
peoples are not disconnected by anything. The Armenian Parliament
Speaker also expressed satisfaction with the balanced position of
Lebanon towards the Nagorno Karabakh issue.
Minister Fawzi Salloukh stated that the relations between the
parliaments of the two friendly peoples should continue and promised
that the group of deputy friendship will be created in the newly
elected Labanese parliament like in the current one. Touching upon
the Nagorno Karabakh settlement, F.Salloukh emphasized the importance
to solve the problem in a peaceful way acceptable for all sides. He
highly evaluated manifestation of friendly attitude of Armenia to
Lebanon at international structures. For the purpose of restoring
the former volumes of economic relations a regular sitting of the
Intergovernmental Commission will be held this year in Beirut, the
agreement about which was reached in Yerevan, during the meeting with
the Armenian Prime Minister.
According to RA Government Press Service, T.Torosian also presented
the Lebanese Foreign Minister the regional interrelations, Armenia’s
home political problems mentioning the parliamentary elections highly
evaluated by observers and the steps of the government formed as a
result of these elections.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS FRANK
MERMOUD VISITS ARMENIA
YEREVAN, JULY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Frank Mermoud, U.S. Special
Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs at the
U.S. Department of State, is visiting Armenia July 11-13. During
his visit, Mr. Mermoud met with representatives of the American
Chamber of Commerce in Armenia, other business representatives
and Armenian government officials regarding economic, commercial
and business issues. Mr. Mermoud discussed ways to further increase
U.S. investment in Armenia and noted positive cooperation between the
United States and Armenia in the economic sector. He also encouraged
all Armenians to continue to fight against corruption and to work to
increase transparency as a means of promoting economic growth.
According to the report provided to NT from the U.S. Embassy in
Armenia, Frank Mermoud has served as Special Representative for
Commercial and Business Affairs since June 3, 2002. Mr. Mermoud is
responsible for managing U.S.
commercial and business affairs programs, developing strategic advocacy
assistance for U.S. businesses, and integrating business perspectives
into U.S. foreign policy. He possesses significant private sector and
government experience, having served in such positions as Co-Founder
of SageMetrics Corporation, Executive Vice President of International
and Corporate Affairs and a member of the Board of Directors for Aegis
Communications, Director of Legislative Affairs at the Department
of State, and Congressional Liaison Officer for the United States
Information Agency.

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: THERE ARE NO POLITICAL PROBLEMS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND LEBANON
YEREVAN, JULY 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. There are no
political problems between Armenia and Lebanon, the relations
develop harmoniously, and there is enough legal-contractual basis for
cooperation. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian announced about this
at the July 11 meeting with the delegation headed by Fawzi Salloukh,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon. The Prime Minister stated
that both countries have also great experience of cooperation in
international organizations, especially within the framework of UN,
which is possible to deepen.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from the RA Government Information
and Public Relations Department, the meeting participants attached
importance to the activization of inter-governmental ties. A.Margarian
mentioned that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Lebanese
Parliament is accepted with great gratitude in Armenia and we highly
appreciate the warm attitude of Lebanese towards Armenians saved
from the Genocide in the Ottoman Turkey. Talking about the Armenian
community both the RA Prime Minister and Lebanese Foreign Minister
pointed out that Armenians, as deserving citizens of Lebanon, have
their big contribution to the country’s development, they are actively
included in the country’s public-political life and contribute to the
strenghtening of the Armenian- Lebanese relations. Fawzi Salloukh added
that by the recognition of the Armenian Genocide Lebanon has proved
once more that it is against all kind of violences and genocides, it is
against terrorism, causing death of thousands of people in the world.
Stating that Armenia follows with attention and preoccupation the
development of the events in the Middle East region, RA Prime Minister
expressed interest in the developments of the Middle East conflict,
in response to which Foreign Minister Salloukh presented in detail
the situation in the region and the approaches of Lebanon over that
developments. He mentioned once again that his country is a supporter
of conflicts’ regulation through diplomatic negotiations and peaceful
way and makes efforts in that direction.
Fawzi Salloukh, taking into account the experience of Armenia and
the presence of high-quality specialists, asked for the assistance
of the RA Government in the issue of mine clearing of territories in
the Southern Lebanon.
Andranik Margarian replied that the assistance possibility will
certainly be discussed with the corresponding Ministries.
The Foreign Minister of Lebanon also presented the RA Prime Minister
the results of the meeting with his Armenian counterpart, Vartan
Oskanian. He mentioned that he had offered his colleague to convene
the coming sitting of the intergovernmental commision in Lebanon and
hoped that it will be possible to receive the RA Prime Minister in
his country.

Rescuer 2006 Exercises to Open in Yerevan July 14
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.07.2006 13:15 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ July 14 the opening ceremony of Rescuer 2006
exercises will be held at the Military Aviation Institute of Armenia,
Spokesperson of the Armenian Defense Minister, colonel Seyran
Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net. The exercises to be held within
the framework of the NATO Partnership for Peace Program. Some 250
representatives of 12 countries will take part in these. Rescuer 2006
exercises are of command and staff nature and are aimed to organize and
compare work of the Military and Medical Department of the Armenian
Defense Ministry and Rescue Service of Armenia, as well as expansion
of cooperation opportunities with NATO partner states.

TIGRAN TOROSIAN AND AMBASSADOR OF EGYPT ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO
DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN-EGYPTIAN INTERPARLIAMENTARY CONTACTS
YEREVAN, JULY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Development Of Armenian-Egyptian
Interparliamentary Relations Was Considered As Important At The
July 12 Meeting Of RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian With Ambassador
Of Egypt To Armenia Abal Abdel Rahman. NA Speaker Mentioned That The
Interparliamentary Relations At Least Should Not Be Inferior To The
Interstate Relations, As There Are Common Interests And Contacts
Of Thousand Years Between The Two Peoples. T.Torosian Emphasized
That The Possibilities Of Extension Of Relations Are Numerous And
They Include Mutual Visits, Exchange Of Legislative Experience,
As Well As Cooperation Between Delegations Of The Two Countries At
International Structures. The Importance Of The Relations’ Being
Practical And Being Aimed At Solving Some Problems Was Stressed.
Congratulating NA Speaker On The Occasion Of Being Elected The
Ambassador Of Egypt Abla Abdel Rahman Conveyed Him The Good Wishes
And The Willingness To develop cooperation of Chairman of Egyptian
National Assembly Fathi Surur, expressing readiness to contribute to
development of interparliamentary contacts as far as possible for the
sake of friendship between the two peoples, attaching importance
to the fact that there are all preconditions for deepening the
cooperation and the two countries have no political problems with
each other.
According to NA Public Relations Department, it was also mentioned
that deputy friendship groups work at both parliaments, but no
practical contacts have been established between them.